Non-native plants this species can replace:
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Common Name
Blue cardinal flower
Great blue lobelia
Plant Form
Herbs
Max Height (ft)
4.0
Width (ft)
1.0 -
1.5
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5,
6,
7,
8,
9
Commercially Available
Nurseries that may carry live plant:
Nurseries that may carry seeds:
My Native Garden
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Habitat
Floodplain forests, mesic cove and slope forests, fens, seeps, stream banks and bars, moist clearings, wet meadows, and low roadsides. Common in the Virginia mountains; frequent in the Piedmont; infrequent in the Coastal Plain
Wildlife value
Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies
Gardening tips
Leave old flower spikes to help with reseeding for more bloom next year
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
Poisonous to Humans:
Poison Severity:
Low
Poison Symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma
Causes Contact Dermatitis:
No
Poison Part:
Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Sap Juice, Seeds, Stems
Flower Color
Blue
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Early Summer
Late Summer
Fall
Bloom Month
July
August
September
October
Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Wet
Soil Texture
High organic matter
Low Maintenance
Yes
Deer Resitant
Yes
Pollinators
Bees
Butterfiles
Hummingbirds
Tolerates
Additional links